Self-aligning electrical connector

Claim 1

An electrical connector having plug and receptacle parts which can be mated or unmated by force application directed along lines within a substantial angular range, comprising: an open-ended hollow metal receptacle shell of generally rectangular cross-section with sidewalls forming the width being longer than those forming the height, and an inner edge portion surface being tapered; a first insulative insert received within the receptacle shell having at least one slotlike opening therein, the plane of which is parallel to the sidewalls forming the receptacle shell width; a first thin generally flat platelike contact received within the insert opening and extending parallel to the shell sidewalls forming the shell width; an open-ended hollow metal plug shell of generally rectangular cross-section with sidewalls forming the width being longer than those forming the height, the cross-section dimensions of one end portion of said plug shell being capable of sliding receipt within an open end of the receptacle shell, an open end outer surface of said plug shell being positively radiused and provided with a groove spaced slightly from the radiused end that completely encircles the plug shell; a second insulative insert received within the plug shell and having at least one slotlike opening therein with its plane parallel to the plug shell sidewalls forming the plug shell width; and a second thin generally flat platelike contact complementary with the first contact, located within the plug insert opening and extending parallel to the plug shell sidewalls forming the plug shell width, wherein when the first and second contacts are fully mated they lie in the same place.